Early today starts right now. Good morning. Im dara brown. We begin with revealing details from Edward Snowdens first ever u. S. Television interview. Brian williams sat down exclusively with the nsa leaker in moscow, russia, where hes living in asylum. Williams says snowden came armed with talking points, ready to tell his story. No question it was off limits. To your knowledge, there is nothing in what you handed over to the journalists materially damaging or threatening to the military or National Security . No. Theres nothing that would be published that would then harm the public interests. These are programs that need to be understood, that need to be known, that require deep background and context for research. Theyre difficult to report, but theyre critical public importance. In your mind, though, are you blameless . Have you gone, as you look at this just a good thing . Have you performed, as you see it, a Public Service . I think it can be both. I think the most important idea is to remember that there have been times throughout American History where what is right is not the same as what is legal. I think it is important to remember that people dont set their lives on fire. They dont say goodbye to their family, actually pack up without saying goodbye to their families. They dont walk away from their extraordinary, extraordinarily comfortable lives. I made a lot of money for a guy with no high school diploma. And burn down everything they love for no reason. Snowden talks about Computer Program that could, as he put it, get inside your thought process. When i think about an instance that really just struck me as oh, my god, we can do this, and that we can do it to anyone, was that people at nsa, analysts, can actually watch peoples internet communications, watch them draft correspondents and watch their thoughts form as they type. As you write a message, you know, an analyst, an nsaer, any service out there, using this kind of attack against people, can actually see you write sentences and then back space over your mistakes and change the words and pause and think about what you wanted to say and then change it. And its this extraordinary intrusion, not just into your communications, your finished messages, but your actual drafting process, it is the way you think. And snowdens revealing 9 11 memories. What did 9 11 mean to you . Ive never told anybody this, no journalist, but i was on ft. Mead on september 11th. I was right outside the nsa. So i remember i remember the tension of that day. I remember hearing on the radio the plane and i remember thinking my grandfather, who worked for the fbi at the time, was in the pentagon when the plane hit it. I take the threat of terrorism seriously. And i think we all do. And i think it is really disingenuous for the government to invoke and sort of scandalize our memories, to sort of exploit the National Trauma that we all suffered together and worked so hard to come through to justify programs that have never been shown to keep us safe. But cost us liberties and freedoms that we dont need to give up and our constitution says we should not give up. If we want to be free, we cant become subject to surveillance. We cant give away our privacy. We cant give away our rights. We have to be be an active party. We have to be an active part of our government. And we have to say there are some things worth dying for. And i think the country is one of them. For more on the Edward Snowden interview, check out nbcnews. Com. Calls for the resignation of Eric Shinseki grow louder. The vas Inspector General identified 700 veterans not properly handled. More than 200 vets were left waiting 115 days for their first appointment. These are criminal problems. We need the fbi and the department of justice to be involved in this investigation. Arizona senators john mccain and jeff flake are among the growing list of lawmakers calling for him to resign. Shinseki vows to fix the problems ordering the veterans be be triaged for care immediately. Meanwhile, chuck hagel ordered a comprehensive review of the military health care system. Not every problem has a military solution. Thats what president obama told cadets at west point. Speaking to the graduating class, the president said the United States will continue to be a world leader and pursue peace and freedom. But he also said, quote, just because we have the best hammer does not mean that every problem is a nail. I will betray my duty to you and the country we love if i ever sent you into harms way simply because i saw a problem somewhere in the world that needed to be fixed. Or because i was worried about critics who think military intervention is the only way for america to avoid looking weak. Meanwhile, Vice President joe biden congratulated u. S. Air force Academy Cadets for their achievements. He challenged them to create a new world order for the 21st century. Nbcs bill karins is here with the thursday weather outlook. Good morning to you, bill. Looks like a nice thursday out there. We cooled it off a few degrees in the desert, a little bit. Yesterday was 100 in vegas, 104 in phoenix. About 3 or 4 degrees warmer yesterday. Nice spring day in much areas of the pacific northwest. 79 in l. A. Yesterday. We had a monsoonal flow from the south. Clouds coming from the bottom of the screen northward up into arizona. Thats cloud cover helping decrease the temperatures a little bit yesterday. And will do so further today. There may be a few showers up there on the rim northern portions of arizona toward the grand canyon or flagstaff. Thats about it. Not a lot wet weather out there today. Much of the west looks pretty dry, only the central and Northern Plains have a chance of getting drenched, even seattle, maybe a couple of drips in the bucket. This is a slight chance of a shower or two in seattle. But for the most part, it is a dry forecast out there today. With extra clouds, well keep you slightly cooler today, below 100 in many desert areas. Thats your national forecast. Maybe close to my perfect temperature. Sunny, low humidity, 77. 76. I was going to say, thats a good place to go. Thank you, bill. Brad pitt socked in the face on the red carpet in a jump and punch attack. A 55 starbucks drink that will send your mind racing. And a look at a woman that expanded all minds next. [ shutter clicks ] hi there [ laughs ] im flo i know im going to get you your rental car. This is so ridiculous. Were going to manage your entire repair process from paperwork to pickup, okay, little tiny baby . Your car is ready, and your repairs are guaranteed for as long as you own it. The Progressive Service center a real place, where we really manage your claim from start to finish. Really. Easy as easy can be bye it used to take me forever to get a smoky eye look just right. Until i discovered this. Almays intense i color collection for my hazel eyes. Almay intense icolor in four color collections you have to try it for yourself. So simple. So me. Almay. And unlike other fibers, youll aonly know youre taking fiber by the way Good Digestive Health makes you look and feel. Benefiber. Clearly healthy. When you find the one. You just know. New almay smart shade makeup made it easy with just three skintoneadjusting shades to choose from. Not hundreds. New almay tonemimic technology intuitively transforms to your skintone. Its my one. And only. Almay. Welcome back. New this morning, off the coast of japan, a nearly 1,000 ton oil tanker explodes sending up huge clouds of black smoke. Local media reporting 7 of the 8 people on board have been rescued were seriously burned. Crews still reportedly searching for the last person, the captain. Chicagos Mayors Office says gun murders there are triple what they are in new york. Thats why mayor rahm emanuel is proposing to prohibit gun sales in over 99 of the city. All gun sales would also have to be videotaped to deter fake i. D. S. A challenge is expected. The wife of l. A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling is reviewing bids for the team. Five groups are bidding between 1. 5 and 2 billion or more. The clock is ticking. One of the most powerful voices in modern u. S. History passed away. Maya angelou grew up in the jim crow south. She died at her home in North Carolina on wednesday at the age of 86. Nbcs Chris Clackum looks back at her life and her towering legacy. Reporter calling her, quote, one of the brightest lights of our time, a brilliant writer, fierce friend and truly phenomenal woman, president obama voiced americas admiration and respect for maya angelou, considered one of the worlds most influential women of the last 50 years. She will be missed, but she will not be forgotten. She is a woman who stands way above all of us. She was a bridge that connected us with the past and toward the future. Reporter angelous childhood was reflected in her famous autobiography that became a movie i know why the caged bird sings. It detailed a life marred with a vicious Racial Discrimination of the south at that time. Among her accomplishments, Pulitzer Prize nominations, three grammys, more than 30 honorary degrees and the president ial medal of freedom. Plus a request to compose a poem for president clintons inauguration in 1993. Come, you my stand upon my back and face your distant destiny, but seek no haven in my shadow. Reporter mourners were adding all day to makeshift mim morlz memorials in North Carolina. Strong, positive influence for all generations, from here, in the United States, across the world. Reporter as well as the one in harlem. She was so eloquent in her humanity. Even though shes gone, we still have her work to remind us of who she was. Reporter and how remarkable she was. Chris clackum, nbc news, winstonsalem, North Carolina. And it is time to get down to business with cnbcs morgan brennan. Good morning, morgan. Dara, it is official. Apple is buying beats electronics for 3 billion. To boost the music Business Streaming Services like spotify are denting itunes and its digital downloads. Apple not only gets beats streaming service and tie in headphones, but also high profile talent as well. Cofounders jimmy ivene and rap star dr. Dre join the company. Meanwhile, a judge in chicago will consider a motion today to consolidate lawsuits over gms ignition switch recall into a single class action. Plaintiffs lawyers want the current and not the prebankruptcy gm to be held liable for the recall. And at t gets a new ride. It struck a deal with uber. Loading it to on droandroid pho. Back to you. Starbucks gold members get a free drink for every dozen purchased. A blogger named andrew of the consumerist took full advantage ordering a 60 espresso shot milk shake that retailed for 54. 75. Andrew said it was delicious after drinking only a third of the beverage. And just ahead, all of your sports highlights including the winners, the losers and those that defy the odds next. When you find the one. You just know. New almay smart shade makeup made it easy with just three skintoneadjusting shades to choose from. Not hundreds. New almay tonemimic technology intuitively transforms to your skintone. Its my one. And only. Almay. It used to take me forever to get a smoky eye look just right. Until i discovered this. Almays intense i color collection for my hazel eyes. Almay intense icolor in four color collections you have to try it for yourself. So simple. So me. Almay. And unlike other fibers, youll aonly know youre taking fiber by the way Good Digestive Health makes you look and feel. Benefiber. Clearly healthy. When you find the one. You just know. New almay smart shade makeup made it easy with just three skintoneadjusting shades to choose from. Not hundreds. New almay tonemimic technology intuitively transforms to your skintone. Its my one. And only. Almay. This morning on today, nbcs Kerry Sanders reports on a new gun range in Oklahoma City granted a liquor license. It has some gun rights supporters asking do bullets and booze mix . That story ahead on today. Now, lets get the latest in sports from my friend richard lui. It was do or die for the Indiana Pacers against the miami heat. Take a watch. Threepointer, ties the game. Trying to get a timeout. A three, fires indianas paul george scoring a game high 37 points. Miamis lebron james, well, hampered by fouls, seven points, two rebounds. James with the ball in the final seconds. He ditches to chris boshs game winner will not go. Indiana 9390. They trailiami 32 in the series. Also a save on nhl ice. Chicago avoiding elimination. Double overtime. Chicagos Michael Handzus comes up big. For handzus, he scores yeah. Chicago beats l. A. 54, but trails 32 in the series. Drops it off to first base line, and theyre going to reach and throws it away. To third, now going for home. The throw to the plate. The blue jays have won sound the horns. Kevin pillar making it home from first base. Toronto over tampa 32. At the french open, Venus Williams has their hopes tumble. Serena and venus are sent home. It is a first since the 2011 wimbledon. Maybe next year. Tiger woods pulled out of the u. S. Open. He still has not taken a full golf swing since his back surgery. The second major hell miss this year. And good news from jim kellys camp. The nfl great finished his final round of radiation wednesday. Kelly is battling science cae i which his doctor says is treatable and curable. Early today brought to you by just for men mustache and beard, champions of facial hair. A lot of folks rooting for kelly, no doubt. Thanks, richard. Just ahead, reading rainbow gets a major online boost. Brad pitt attacked on the red carpet with angie at his side next. [ brian ] in a race, its about getting to the finish line. In life, its how you get there that matters most. Its important to know the difference. Like when i found out i had a blood clot in my leg. My doctor said that it could travel to my lungs and become an even bigger problem. And that i had to take action. So he talked to me about xarelto®. [ male announcer ] xarelto® is the first oral prescription blood thinner proven to treat and help prevent dvt and pe that doesnt require regular blood monitoring or changes to your diet. [ brian ] for a prior dvt i took warfarin, which required routine blood testing and dietary restrictions. Not this time. While i was taking xarelto®, i still had to stop racing, but i didnt have to deal with that blood monitoring routine. You made great time. I found another way. [ male announcer ] dont stop taking xarelto®, rivaroxaban, unless your doctor tells you to. While taking xarelto®, you may bruise more easily and it may take longer for bleeding to stop. Xarelto® may increase your risk of bleeding if you take certain medicines. Xarelto® can cause serious bleeding, and in rare cases, may be fatal. Get help right away if you develop unexpected bleeding, unusual bruising, or tingling. If you have had spinal anesthesia while on xarelto®, watch for back pain or any nerve or muscle related signs or symptoms. Do not take xarelto® if you have an artificial heart valve or abnormal bleeding. Tell your doctor before all planned medical or dental procedures. Before starting xarelto®, tell your doctor about any conditions such as kidney, liver, or bleeding problems. Xarelto® is proven to reduce the risk of dvt and pe. With xarelto® there is no regular blood monitoring and no known dietary restrictions. Treatment with xarelto® was the right move for me. [ male announcer ] ask your doctor about xarelto® today. For more information including savings options, download the xarelto® Patient Center app, call 1888xarelto, or visit teamxarelto. Com. When you find the one. Download the xarelto® Patient Center app, you just know. New almay smart shade makeup made it easy with just three skintoneadjusting shades to choose from. Not hundreds. New almay tonemimic technology intuitively transforms to your skintone. Its my one. And only. Almay. A person jumped a barrier and struck brad pitt in the face at the l. A. Premiere. The perp is a hollywood prankster and booked on suspicion of misdemeanor battery. Hes being held on 20,000 bail. Hes the same guy that crawled under america ferreras dress at cannes. Reading rainbow is making a digital comeback. Lavar burton launched a Kick Starter Campaign to fund a web reboot of the series, surpassing the 1 million goal in less than 24 hours. Iggy ezalia reaches a level of success equal to the fab four. She is i thought it was gwen stefani. They sound similar. She hit it. A force to be reckoned with now. Here to stay. I think so. Im dara brown this is early today. We hope it is just your first stop of the day today on nbc. It used to take me forever to get a smoky eye look just right. Until i discovered this. Almays intense i color collection for my hazel eyes. Almay intense icolor in four color collections you have to try it for yourself. So simple. So me. Almay. When you find the one. You just know. New almay smart shade makeup made it easy with just three skintoneadjusting shades to choose from. Not hundreds. New almay tonemimic technology intuitively transforms to your skintone. Its my one. And only. Almay. Leading the news from bbc news, malaysia missing mh370 plane, ping area ruled out. Australian Officials Say they dont believe four pings at the center of the search came from flight 370s black boxes but instead from some other man made source. Man dies in freak queens car fire. Authorities say a piece of metal debris on the road pierced the gas tank and sparked a massive explosion. Two others in the car were able to escape. Some other stories were keeping an eye on, Malcolm Glazer died. He owned the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and manchester united. He started life poor and finished it with a family net worth of around 4. 5 billion. Glazer was 85. Gay rights advocates in houston are cheering the City Council Approved bans on protections. And it is a successful launch for the russian soyuz booster rocket. It later arrived at the International Space station. The crew of three said despite recent friction between the u. S. And russian governments, they are still willing to give us a lift. An unmade bed complete with cigarette butts and dirty underwear is expected to sell for approximately 2 million at christies. The british artist tracy eman is the creator of this art piece called my bed. She literally took it from her bedroom and made it into an installati installation. She describes it as a selfportrait and damsel in distress. 2 million. Parents all over the place with teenagers saying that, i got beds just like that. Yeah, neighbmaybe thats the trend, keep our beds unkept and unmade. Now it is time for a look ahead and a look back. President obama will host a white house summit on youth sports safety and concussions. The president will be joined by athletes, parents, coaches and experts in an event to raise awareness about how to identify, treat and prevent concussions. On this day in 1953, the worlds tallest peak was conquered. Sir Edmund Hillary and tan zig norgay became the first to reach the summit. Happy birthday to carmelo anthony, 30. Comedian daniel tosh, 39. La toya jackson, 58. Now keep it here for more news, weather and sports. Im dara brown. Thanks for watching early today. Have a good one. Well, happy thursday for you. Its 4 30. Im scott mcgrew. Im laura garciacannon. Lots to get to. First, lets check that forecast. We welcome back meteorologist christina loren. I was excited when scott said thursday and for a second there, just for one second there i was hoping it was friday. But we have two days to get through. Today will be the warmest day of the week. Were starting out in the 50s and headed towards the mid to upper 80s and also talking about little bit of fire danger for just one specific area today and thats through the dry northerly winds. Well take you through that forecast coming up. Right now, lets